Camera User settings (C1/2/3) what do you use?

teddyt72

teddyt72

Messages
367
Name
Eddie
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

I just got a 40D and having a play, I saw a good thread on a user setting to use for HDR with auto brackting already setup, should prove really useful.

I wondered what other user settings people tend to have? I'm sure it depends on what you tend to shoot etc. but I'd be interested to know and get some ideas!

My thoughts are it would be useful for either complex setup (like HDR) or something you'll need at short notice, e.g. high shutter speed or maybe flash off, iso high - that sort of thing.

Eddie.
 
My cameras both only have one "C" setting, on my 5D I use it for my general out & about settings (one shot AF/drive, AV at f2.8, ISO 100 etc) I always leave the dial in that position, that way I don't get caught out with the wrong settings. On my S90 I have it set up for nights out (every thing auto, flash on) as that is the main time I'd usually just want to snap an image with it.
 
I have C1 on my 40D set up for action shooting (servo AF, all AF points, continuous shooting at high speed, ISO 400, aperture wide open, etc).

Last Sunday I was in Richmond Park, walking along by the pond, and an enormous blue heron just popped up out of the reeds only a few feet from me and started to fly off. With these settings dialled in I was ready to shoot in less than a second. Unfortunately I had a 300mm f/2.8 on the camera and the heron was far too close to be able to frame with that lens! But I'd have got him with a 100-400, and I'd have had no chance if I'd had to set up the camera manually.
 
My C1 slot is set up for -1, 0 and +1 bracketing with high speed continuous shooting.
My c2 slot remains un-programmed at present.
 
C1 is set up for handheld macro
C2 is set up for long exposures on tripod (MLU, ISO 100 default, f/11 default)
C3 is set up for long lens use

I've actually forgotten most of the differences between these settings now, I set them up in the first few weeks of using the camera in the field and have barely had to alter anything since.
Altering screen brightness and formatting cards are the only things I regularly have to use menus for.
 
squishy said:
C1 is set up for handheld macro
C2 is set up for long exposures on tripod (MLU, ISO 100 default, f/11 default)
C3 is set up for long lens use

I've actually forgotten most of the differences between these settings now, I set them up in the first few weeks of using the camera in the field and have barely had to alter anything since.
Altering screen brightness and formatting cards are the only things I regularly have to use menus for.
Click to expand...

Whats your settings in C3 for long lens shooting?
This sounds like a possible plan for my C2 slot when using my 50-500 lens.
 
Hi all,

Thanks for the input so far. I thought the HDR setting was such a good idea there must be others.

Stuart - sounds sensible, that'll be my number 2 I think!

stupar - snap for now!

squishy - long exposure sounds worthwhile to make sure you don't forget any settings though I guess due to the nature of the shot you should always have time to dial these in yourself. I actually am new to my 40D (used to have a 350D) and haven't got round to playing with MLU yet but I'm planning on doing some london night shots sometime this week so will give it a go - that might be my C3...

Great suggestions so far, thanks all.
 
I work mostly in nightclubs so mine are setup accordingly.

C1 - M - 7.1 / 1/125 / ISO400 / ETTL Flash
C2 - AV - 1.4 / ISO 3200 / No flash only beam assist
C3 - M - 7.1 / 1/60 / ISO100 / ETTL Flash on 2nd curtain.
 
I shoot 360 panoramas, spasmodically and can never remember all the settings - sometimes I struggle to set up my Nodal Ninja, once I forgot the 8mm siggy has a lens cap in two parts (why ?) and forgot to remove the second part :bonk:.

So, I use C3, which from memory is :

Metering - manual
White balance - manual
ISO - manual
Spot metering
Multi drive setting
AEB - +2

However, having set all these to manual, I need to remember to adjust them to the correct value :cuckoo:
 
Can't remember all my settings but in practice;

C1 = HDR
C2 = Tv mode, Shutter speed 1/200 and auto ISO, basically my point and shoot mode
C3 = Aperture Mode mode, ISO=L, f=11

Very useful function if a quick shot is needed.
 
stupar said:
Whats your settings in C3 for long lens shooting?
This sounds like a possible plan for my C2 slot when using my 50-500 lens.
Click to expand...

I have it set to default to ISO 400 f/7.1 (often the setting I choose with my 100-400), AI servo and High speed continuous shooting.
I use the half press of the shutter button to AF, but the AF-ON button is set to AF-stop, so I can focus/recompose while in AI servo by holding that down.
Most people seem to prefer the AF-on for AF-start though.
 
squishy said:
I have it set to default to ISO 400 f/7.1 (often the setting I choose with my 100-400), AI servo and High speed continuous shooting.
I use the half press of the shutter button to AF, but the AF-ON button is set to AF-stop, so I can focus/recompose while in AI servo by holding that down.
Most people seem to prefer the AF-on for AF-start though.
Click to expand...

Cheers for that Adam,
Going to dial in some settings tonight and try out this week. :thumbs:
 
To be honest I used go to great lengths to set C1 etc and then unfortunately forgot what I set them to ( its an age thing) so now I don't bother.
I just set back button focus ,AI servo and leave it at that.
I make any other changes on the fly as needed
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top